by admin | Jun 16, 2021 | Health Awareness
Your immune system is a complex network of organs and cells, including white blood cells, which protect the body against infection, disease, and other foreign invaders. To work optimally, the system requires specific nutrients—many of which you can get from food. Here are a few immune-boosting foods to consider adding to your diet for increased resistance against illness and infection.
Yogurt
Yogurt helps the body produce antibodies that attack viruses. This is likely due to its rich concentration of probiotics, which help the portion of the immune system found in the intestinal tract. For the healthiest options, choose plain, unsweetened yogurt to avoid the added sugar.
Garlic
Not only does garlic add lots of flavor to any dish, but it also has protective immune system benefits, thanks to the sulfur compounds in the vegetable. When chopped, it creates allicin, a compound with antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E. This powerful antioxidant can help the body fight viruses. Moreover, options like Brazil nuts have more than a day’s serving of selenium, a mineral that can further support the immune system.
Leafy Greens & Citrus
We often think of citrus as the primary source of vitamin C, the antioxidant that helps to eliminate disease-causing free radicals. While oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits are indeed fine options, leafy greens such as kale are also loaded with the vitamin.
Dark Chocolate
If you have a sweet tooth, feel free to give in to it now and then—specifically, with a piece of dark chocolate. The indulgent treat plenty of magnesium, which helps components in the immune system called lymphocytes bind to and fight invaders. If you prefer to skip the chocolate, avocados, brown rice, pumpkin seeds, and spinach are also rich sources of the nutrient.
Healthy Proteins
Proteins help repair muscle, but they’re also packed with zinc. This mineral is an essential source of fuel for white blood cells. In addition, it can help you maintain your energy levels and strength. Choose lean protein, such as low-fat cheese, chicken, or roast beef, for heart-healthy options.
Seafood
Seafood such as salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines have omega-3 fatty acids that can help promote immune system function. Specifically, DHA, a type of omega-3, can promote white blood cell activity to strengthen immunity.
With so many immune-boosting foods to choose from, it’s simple to begin incorporating more of these foods into your diet every day. Most are also beneficial to overall health—not just your immune system—and are therefore excellent choices for filling your plate.
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by Stemedix | Jun 14, 2021 | Traumatic Brain Injury, Stem Cell Therapy
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an extremely challenging condition for many patients to face. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 2006 to 2014, the number of TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths increased by 53%. Those who survive after a TBI may experience irreversible neurological symptoms that can sustain for the rest of their lives. However, there is some evidence that suggests that stem cell therapy may help in the treatment of TBI. There are many benefits of Stem Cells.
How Stem Cells May Benefit A Patient With A Traumatic Brain Injury
Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell and tissue. They can become any type of cell in the body, including ones that do not normally replicate. For instance, you often hear that you have the same number of nerve cells since birth. Recent evidence suggests that neurons can regenerate in certain cases, but, the rate of regeneration is not sufficient to restore some lost functions after irreversible damage (e.g., TBI, stroke).
For this reason, scientists are studying stem cells since they have the potential to differentiate, regenerate, and repair, to help patients with neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, strokes, and traumatic brain injuries.
What Does Science Say About Stem Cells And TBI?
In recent decades, mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the bone marrow, umbilical cord, and adipose tissues demonstrated impressive potential in the management of TBI. There have been clinical studies that describe the administration of stem cells via a lumbar puncture and/or intravenous (IV) methods to patients with TBI. After the evaluation of these patients using imaging techniques (i.e., MRI, fMRI), lesions in the brain showed improvements after each treatment session.
Today, dozens of clinical trials are still being conducted to get a deeper understanding of the effects of stem cell therapy on patients with TBI. With that said, and based on the available results, patients with TBI conditions may find this treatment method as an encouraging option. Research will continue as scientists keep studying this new advancement in regenerative medicine.
Stem cells have an incredible ability to divide into any type of tissue, opening the door for endless therapeutic options in not only neurodegenerative conditions, such as TBI but for autoimmune and orthopedic conditions as well. If you would like to learn more then contact a care coordinator today!
by admin | Jun 9, 2021 | Health Awareness
What we eat affects our health either positively or negatively. Researchers have found reasonable evidence to suggest that the Mediterranean Diet, which is rich in fats, fruits, and vegetables, can help lower the rate of type 2 diabetes.
A typical Mediterranean Diet is cooked with olive oil, lots of fish, and a limited number of processed meats. Studies have shown that such a diet prevents conditions such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance.
In a Women’s Health Study, 25,317 subjects were involved. The data involved in the research were collected at the time of enrolment. This data was from a food frequency questionnaire and blood samples of the subjects. The results showed that 2,307 subjects had type 2 diabetes. Those that showed to develop type 2 diabetes and followed the Mediterranean Diet developed the condition at a 30% lower rate than those who did not follow the same diet.
It is important to clarify that from this study, the data does not show that the Mediterranean Diet prevents diabetes but does suggest that it may delay or lower the risk of the condition. The study also shows that women with a higher BMI and who are on the Mediterranean Diet have a delayed response to diabetes than their peers of lower weight.
This study helps researchers to identify the factors behind the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it gives specific parameters to measure which is of great help in prescribing solutions. Essentially, our diet can impact our overall health. It is important to make healthier choices to prevent conditions that may come because of poor or misguided diets.
In conclusion, the Mediterranean Diet may be one to consider as a daily regimen if you and your doctor feel it would be a benefit to you. It has a lot of various foods, is delicious, and is considered very healthy.
by Stemedix | Jun 7, 2021 | Osteoarthritis, Stem Cell Therapy
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition in which the natural cushioning between joints breaks down eventually leading to bone-on-bone contact, pain, and loss of flexibility. OA affects roughly 30 million people in the U.S., many of whom are over the age of 60. As the U.S. population ages, the number of people with OA will likely increase. While the condition can affect any joint, it’s particularly common in the knees. In this article, we will talk about a very common question, can stem cells help Osteoarthritis?
Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis
While lifestyle modifications and certain medical interventions can help reduce symptoms of Osteoarthritis, once the condition progresses significantly, joint replacement surgery may be the only option for treatment.
Recently, researchers from Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network in Toronto published results for using stem cells to treat Osteoarthritis in the journal STEM CELLS Translational. Their goal was to determine whether mesenchymal stem cells, which can develop into specialized cells such as muscle, bone, and cartilage, could replace knee cartilage.
The researchers extracted stem cells from the bone marrow of 12 participants. They received one of three dosages in the knee and were then studied over the following year. Participants received routine MRI scans and had inflammatory biomarkers measured. They were also questioned about their symptoms. By the end of the 12 months, participants exhibited a considerable reduction in pain and an increase in quality of life.
All participants tolerated the doses well, with no serious adverse effects. Those who had the highest doses of stem cells experienced the best outcomes, including a significant reduction in inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effects of the stem cells are believed to be an important factor in the decreased pain levels.While the study was limited in scope, it does appear to be a stepping stone for further advancements into stem cell therapy. Moreover, this is not the first clinical research to look into the potential of stem cells for treating OA. A larger 2015 study showed that the treatment could be a feasible alternative to surgery for OA, while an even larger 2016 study showed similar outcomes. Should further studies show similar results, it’s a likely possibility that stem cell therapy could become an effective treatment for OA. If you are interested in learning more, contact a care coordinator today!
by admin | Jun 4, 2021 | Stem Cell Therapy, COPD, Stem Cell Research
For patients facing a lung disease, including COPD, current and traditional therapeutic options may not be as effective in managing symptoms or slowing the progression of the condition so researchers have turned their attention to the potential benefits of stem cell therapy and ex vivo lung bioengineering in hopes of developing new and effective therapeutic approaches to treat lung disease.
Demonstrating a rapid progression over the last decade, the development of stem cell therapies and bioengineering approaches for lung disease has primarily shifted focus to the application of immunomodulatory and paracrine actions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and the field of ex vivo lung bioengineering.
In this manuscript, Weiss reviews clinical trials in lung disease and provides the current progress for a variety of therapeutic options. Specific treatments reviewed include:
- Structural Engraftment of Circulating or Exogenously Administered Stem Cells
- Ex Vivo Derivation of Lung Epithelial Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells or Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS)
- Endogenous Lung Stem and Progenitor Cells
- Circulating Fibrocytes
- Endothelial Progenitor Cells
- MSCs and Immunomodulation of Lung Disease
The author points out that although preclinical literature supports the use of EPCs and MSCs in acute lung injury and/or chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions (including asthma, bronchiolitis, obliterans, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia), these preclinical models are not always predictive of clinical behaviors. As such, clinical investigations of these cell-based therapies for lung disease have been slow to develop.
Currently, the only effective treatment for severe lung diseases, including BPD, CF, COPD, and IPF, is lung transplantation. With a 50% five-year post-transplant mortality rate, essential lifelong immunosuppression (to prevent chronic lung rejection), and a critical shortage of donor’s lungs, research has turned its attention toward manufacturing surgically implantable ex vivo (or “outside the living body”) lung tissue. While several challenges still exist, recent significant progress has been made using both synthetic and donor tissue in generating ex vivo tissue for use in various lung treatment applications.
The author concludes that while exciting progress has been made in the field of stem cell therapy and ex vivo generation of tissue to treat lung diseases, much research is still on the horizon. Within future research, they hope to better understand the identity of endogenous lung airway, the development of functional airway and alveolar epithelial cells from ESCs and iPS cells, and a better understanding of the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of EPC and Fibrocytes in lung diseases.
The use of stem cell therapy and ex vivo lung bioengineering offers tremendous potential for the treatment of lung diseases, however, the clinical use of artificial engineered or decellularized scaffolds for use in treating lung disease is likely to be several years off.
Source: (n.d.). Current Status of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in Lung …. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4208500/
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